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22.55 m acre land can be
ploughed if water wastage controlled
LAHORE-About 22.55 million acres of land can be brought under
plough if 38 million acres feet water is used for agriculture
purpose which goes to sea every year without any utility.
Briefing the 14 members delegation of journalists from Sindh
on Tuesday at WAPDA house, Chairman WAPDA, Lt. Gen Zulfiqar
Ali Khan said that desilting is increasing gradually at
Tarbela and Mangla which is badly reducing water reservoirs
capacity. He said that in present scenario,construction of
water reservoirs,dams and canals is need of the hour to offset
the impending threat of acute water shortage in the country.
He urged the visiting journalists to play their positive and
constructive role in highlighting the vital significance of
new dams and hydro water projects to meet future demand of
water for agricultural and industrial requirements. He said
that Almighty Allah has blessed our country with sufficient
natural resources,mineral deposits and other assets which he
added must be exploited for the nation building. Chairman said
that the purpose of today's briefing is to provide you
credible information about the future and on-going water and
power projects and remove apprehensions from the minds of the
people of Sindh through media.
He said that media is powerful organ of the society which can
mould the public opinion in the larger national interest.He
said that spot visits to projects will also help a lot to
understand the reality on ground and eliminate
misunderstanding. Later,GM,Water (Planning) Ahmad Khan Bhatti
gave a detailed presentations to the delegation with the help
of slides and responded to their queries.He threw light on the
distinctive features of the "Vision 2025" being implemented by
WAPDA.
He explained the grave impact of water crisis and its
implications on our national economy and socio-economic
conditions.He said that water shortage will lead to stagnation
of agricultural growth and threat to economic viability
besides dependence on other nations for food.He said that it
will have adverse impact on industrial development as well as
drinking water constraints to human life. Ahmad Khan Bhatti
urged them to develop national thinking and contribute their
role to save the country from water crisis looming around the
country.He categorically made it clear that all water and
power projects included in vision 2025 are in the best
national interest which will not affect any of the province.
The visiting journalists when contacted termed the briefing an
educative,informative and knowledgeable which helped a lot to
understand the projects and dispelled the doubts about the
projects.They thanked the WAPDA for arranging the briefing.
DG, PID, Lahore, Akram Shaheedi and Deputy Director, PID,
Hyderababad, Mrs.Samina Waqar also attended.
September 13, 2001
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